Regional transportation plan updated

We received the latest version of the TBP Weekly Report, a publication of the National Capital Region Transportation Planning Board. The board oversees long-range transportation planning the greater metro area. In updating the plan they asked state and local agencies for their proposed additions and changes.

From the list of changes and additions, it's encouraging to see that the District is proposing lane reductions and bike lane pilot projects. It's not so encouraging that Virginia's list contains mostly road widening projects and a new access highway to Dulles airport "to provide better access by car and truck to Dulles International Airport from Loudoun County on the western side of the airport." Where are the bike lane projects?

DISTRICT OF COLUMBIA

Lane Reductions and Reconfigurations – C St. NE, East Capitol St., I St. NW,
New Jersey Ave. NW, Pennsylvania Ave. SE, South Capitol St., 17th St. NE and SE

The bike lane project comment was more of a general comment about the types of projects on the two lists. I agree that not many cyclists will use the airport road since it is a western entrance. It seems odd to me that that project is a critical NoVa project when there are much more pressing issues like the need for better transit, bike, and ped access. That one airport project will cost nearly $1 billion. The entire Portland, OR bike system was built for 1/10 of that cost.